cheating? digital painting

[nf076]

Im just wondering if its cheating to put a photo in photoshop and lower the opacity, and then paint on to of it just to get the colors right, I mean im just using the photo to help with placement and coloring or is it just better to look at the photo and paint it as I see it. Sorry if this is confusing..

[Arshes Nei]

Is there some reason people can't look at objects in their house anymore?

[Psychotime]

At least it's not as bad as when people forget they have hands and feet they can look at.

[nf076]

well I guess with those replies it is..just wondering ;/

[manlybrian]

You can do whatever you want, but you should first ask yourself, "Is this going to give me the best results for my painting and help me improve as an artist?" and also, "Could I get sued for copying this photo?"

[nf076]

You can do whatever you want, but you should first ask yourself, "Is this going to give me the best results for my painting and help me improve as an artist?" and also, "Could I get sued for copying this photo?"

thanks! just the answer I was looking for.

[bcarman]

If you are doing this to learn I would make it a small part. We all imitate to a certain extent when learning. But your best bet is to work your eye, hand, brain connection by working from life. The next best would be to look at photos and copy, and the last is to trace over. If you get in the habit of tracing over it will be all you can do and will look like it.

[Arshes Nei]

It's not that I have anything against learning from photos - it's a tool. I just don't see the point of turning down the opacity and painting over it to "check if the colors are right"

Messing with the opacity already messes with the colors.

[Elwell]

Give it a try, if for no other reason than to see that it won't solve the problems you think it will solve.